Researchers found that using antiseptic solutions for prophylactic intraoperative incisional wound irrigation significantly reduced surgical site infections (SSIs). In this systematic review and network meta-analysis involving 41 randomized clinical trials with 17,188 patients, antiseptic solutions showed a 40% relative risk reduction in SSIs compared to no irrigation. Antibiotic solutions also reduced SSIs but with lower certainty of evidence. Saline irrigation did not significantly impact SSIs. The study suggests avoiding antibiotic irrigation due to global antimicrobial resistance concerns and recommends antiseptic solutions to reduce SSIs.
Journal Article by Groenen H, Bontekoning N (…) Boermeester MA et 15 al. in JAMA Surg